American Heart Association honors local hospitals for heart attack and stroke care

ELKHART, Ind. -- Each year, the American Heart Association recognizes hospitals across the country for consistently following up-to-date, research-based guidelines to ensure all patients have access to lifesaving care. In Indiana, 43 hospitals were recognized this year, including a handful of local hospitals. 

More than 3,000 hospitals nationwide participate in the American Heart Association’s "Get with the Guidelines" and other programs to improve outcomes for Americans who experience heart disease or stroke, and this year Elkhart General Hospital, Franciscan Health, Memorial Hospital, Methodists Hospitals, and Northwest Health were all honored.

According to the AHA, heart disease and stroke are the number one and number five causes of death in the United States, respectively.

“Every 40 seconds, someone in America has a stroke or heart attack,” said Dr. William Gill, president of the American Heart Association’s Indianapolis board of directors. “High-quality care should be accessible to all, and sites awarded through the Get with the Guidelines program help work toward our shared vision of health and hope for everyone, everywhere.”

Elkhart General Hospital (Elkhart)

• Heart Failure Award: Gold
• Target Heart Failure Honor Roll
• Target Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
• Stroke Award: Gold Plus
• Target Stroke Honor Roll

Franciscan Health (Michigan City)

• Stroke Award: Target Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
• Stroke Award: Gold Plus
• Stroke Award: Target Stroke Honor Roll

Memorial Hospital (South Bend)

• Heart Failure Award: Gold Plus
• Target Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
• Stroke Award: Gold Plus
• Target Stroke Elite Honor Roll
• Target Stroke Advanced Therapy Honor Roll

Northwest Health (LaPorte)

• Stroke Award: Gold Plus

Methodist Hospitals (Gary)

• Target Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
• Stroke Award: Gold Plus
• Target Stroke Elite Honor Roll